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I Am the Central Park Jogger (Abridged): A Story of Hope and Possibility Audiobook, by Trisha Meili Play Audiobook Sample

I Am the Central Park Jogger (Abridged): A Story of Hope and Possibility Audiobook

I Am the Central Park Jogger (Abridged): A Story of Hope and Possibility Audiobook, by Trisha Meili Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Trisha Meili Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2003 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780743548571

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

5

Longest Chapter Length:

75:31 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

72:08 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

74:18 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

It is the end of a long workday

and she is out for a run.

Shortly after 9:00 P.M. on April 19, 1989, a young woman jogs alone near 102nd Street in New York City's Central Park. She is attacked, raped, savagely beaten, and left for dead. Many hours later, she is found lying in the mud, her body thrashing violently.

I Am the Central Park Jogger recounts the mesmerizing, inspiring, often wrenching story of human strength and transcendent recovery that involved a family, a hospital, a city -- in fact an entire nation -- of supporters.

Even today, more than a decade after the attack, the Central Park Jogger is still in the news. As she writes this story, the headlines scream JOGGER once more. Startling new information about the crime emerges. Because of the nature of her head injuries, she remembers nothing of the attack. Whether one man or several nearly took her life, the damage was done. And for the Central Park Jogger, the crime was not the climax but the beginning of her journey. She tells us who she was -- a well-educated young woman working on Wall Street -- and who she is now.

Once comfortable in a high-pressure corporate boardroom, she is a woman who has had to learn to talk again. She is not the woman she was -- physical and cognitive "deficits" linger -- yet she is stronger and more alive than she has ever been. The event meant to take her life gave her a deeper one, richer and more meaningful.

Meet Trisha Meili, the Central Park Jogger.

Download and start listening now!

"This was a very inspiring book for me. She has to be one of the strongest women I have ever read about. Very emotional book, very sad book. I've always heard, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". After reading this book, I can understand that statement so much more."

— debra (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Told without anger or resentment, it will comfort and inspire anyone who has suffered a horrible trauma—and many who haven’t.” 

    — New York Times Book Review
  • “Her compelling story, which is honestly and openly told, is one of hope and inspiration in the midst of the most frightening pain and fear.” 

    — School Library Journal
  • “Meili tells the story of a competitive and driven young executive at a finance firm whose life was destroyed, and how she ultimately rebuilt it. Passages where Meili is reunited years later with the doctors and nurses who saved her life are especially compelling…Her candor is remarkable and certainly moving…[a] highly readable story of tragedy and, ultimately, triumph.” 

    — Amazon.com, editorial review

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller

I Am the Central Park Jogger Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.675675675675676 out of 53.675675675675676 out of 53.675675675675676 out of 53.675675675675676 out of 53.675675675675676 out of 5 (3.68)
5 Stars: 11
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 16
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " well-written memoir "

    — Amrita, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I cannot get behind this at all. No one is denying that what happened to this woman was wrong, and that she went through an ordeal. It is always a good and inspiring thing when one is able to rise above such circumstances. But those five teenage boys went through an ordeal as well, one that cost them their innocence, their childhoods, their standing in society. Their lives were destroyed as well, and the worst part is that people still refuse to apologize, offer sympathy to them and their families, or admit that what happened to them was wrong. Meili does not acknowledge the racial firestorm that the case ignited, which I cannot comprehend. I doubt if the author realizes her sense of privilege, which not only allowed her to be successful before the attack, but also allowed her to pen this book. But perhaps the most troubling aspect of the book is that Meili, as a victim, shows no sense of concern or compassion for the young men who were also victimized. No "I'm sorry that this happened to you." No speaking out in campaigns on their behalf, or encouraging others to view them differently. I'm not saying that the justice system and its affiliates (police officers, prosecutors), certain individuals, (cough, Donald Trump, Ed Koch, cough), and the media should not be held accountable for their actions. But as the catalyst in this case, one would expect more from her, as well. The fact that it is not here speaks volumes about how she feels and where she is now, and the result is disconcerting. "

    — Annelisa, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very inspiring story about her comeback. Interesting for runners and non-runners alike. "

    — Maria, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another amazing human being. What a hero , what a horrible thing to go through. Such courage, if you have a down part of your life, read this and it will make you feel small compared to what she went through. "

    — Mary, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I've always been frightened by this story. It keeps me running in gyms on treadmills. I'm a bit of a scaredy cat. It wasn't nearly as gruesome as I feared and had some interesting TBI stuff in it, but no PTSD. "

    — Heather, 12/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What happened to Ms. Meili was highly unfortunate and is a reflection of the dark world we live in. However, although her prose is simple yet well put, but her story itself is amazing. Her rise from the ashes like a phoenix after the attack and her constant endeavor to better herself and maintain a positive outlook is commendable. The book not only talks and teaches one about how one should respond to contingencies in life but it also reflects how we humans, being social characters need the love and support of family, friends, co-worker, community and society to achieve our true and great potential. Hats off to Ms. Meili for showing exemplary courage and dedication in her recovery. Like her, the many unfortunate victims of such crimes need to overcome the dark chapter in their life, and she can truly be a stalwart in their dash to a new future. "

    — Anant, 12/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book doesn't flinch when self-describing the authors horrific injuries. This is a book about resilience and beating the odds, very inspirational. "

    — Sara, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book had much more to do with the resiliance of the human spirit than it had to do with the event. I was too young to remember the Central Park Jogger incident but I can understand how it gripped the nation. This was such a horrible act and unbelieveable how people on this earth have no understanding of the value of a human life. But, past the actual event this book was more about Trisha rebuilding her life and regaining herself again. Essentially she had to learn how to live again from the very basics. Walking, talking, eating, and writing where all the things she had to relearn and also being the emotional healing. I could not imagine having to rebuild everything but it can be done. Trisha should be seen as a hero to all women especially those who have gone through sexual or physical assualt. "

    — E, 12/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Having survived a similar experience and this book brought me hope. I did not have the support system like Trisha had but I had God's! We can ALL endure in His unfailing love!!! "

    — Tamara, 12/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Listened to audio book. I liked the clarity of her thought processes and marvel at her courage - not to survive, but to move forward while staying in the present. "

    — Janet, 12/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " proof that beauty comes from tragedy "

    — Linda, 12/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If ever you feel down about your own life, this is pretty inspiring. "

    — Erin, 11/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Definitely would have been better if the author would have gone into more detail. Of course the book would have been much more lengthy, but I think it would remain a gripping read. Very inspirational! "

    — Melissa, 11/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this, though I guess I was hoping for something a little more detailed and cohesive. The timeline jumps around a little, which was a bit confusing. Still - interesting and it makes me want to read more in depth on the subject. "

    — Laura, 10/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very moving. Worth reading. "

    — Ginny, 10/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " excellent behind the news reality "

    — Louie, 10/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An amazing story of physical recovery and psychological resilience. "

    — Stephanie, 8/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Trisha Meili describes herself as merely an ordinary person who weathered an extraordinary event. Her story is riveting (I read it in one sitting), inspiring, and, most surprisingly, devoid of self-pity or anger at what happened. "

    — Jennifer, 7/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " what a wonderful story of courage and inspiration. Made me lucky that i was recovering from knee surgery and not the traumatic event that happened to the author. loved it "

    — Kristi, 12/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good book. I liked that the author doesn't launch into a rehashing of all the facts of her situation, but just enough to hang her narrative on. At times it dragged a little so I skimmed this more than others, but still overall a compelling read. "

    — Ed, 8/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I picked this book randomly when I saw it on the shelf at the library. I had seen the author in a tv interview so it sparked my interest. It is a very inspirational story, and I appreciated her honesty. "

    — Holly, 8/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a wonderful story that will make you cry. Trisha is an incredible woman who's life of love, hope and recovery is an example that all of us can learn from... "

    — Gerard, 4/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Writing is below average but I read it with a sympathetic heart. Hard to read the details of this woman's survival and not walk away with at least a few inches of your soul changed. "

    — Lisa, 2/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " So brilliant and brave. "

    — Michelle, 8/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I bought this book because this was big news when it happened in NYC. I was 19 at the time. Reading it as a speech-language pathologist who has worked with traumatically brain-injured patients, it was an eye-opener about how to treat patients. "

    — Kim, 5/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a wonderful story that will make you cry. Trisha is an incredible woman who's life of love, hope and recovery is an example that all of us can learn from... "

    — Gerard, 2/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Writing is below average but I read it with a sympathetic heart. Hard to read the details of this woman's survival and not walk away with at least a few inches of your soul changed. "

    — Lisa, 1/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good read-all about the power of living in today and not giving up in the face of great adversity. "

    — Lisa, 11/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I remember this story being in the news and how tragic it was. The book could have been written with more details and feeling (she leaves out a lot about the support of her family)however, her story is remarkable and heroic. "

    — Nancy, 6/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I bought the book after listening to the author speak about her life since the day she was brutally attacked. It's a remarkable story of hope, faith, determination, and will power. What a strong woman! "

    — Norma, 3/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A story of pain, trauma, will and hope. The power of the human spirit. "

    — Kathy, 10/10/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another amazing human being. What a hero , what a horrible thing to go through. Such courage, if you have a down part of your life, read this and it will make you feel small compared to what she went through. "

    — Mary, 7/5/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " While Meili's story is fascinating, it's not the best written. The story drags on a bit, but it is a really intensely emotional story (which is why it was hard for me to be critical abt her story, but it's not that engaging). The way she was attacked..horrifying - but a miracle she recovered. "

    — Cherie, 7/2/2009
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I was really anxious to read this book. About 1/4 of the way through, it started talking about Christianity. <br/> <br/>I'm Catholic, I have no problem with it ~ except, I thought it was going to be about her attack and the trial, etc. "

    — Marianne, 5/28/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this a while ago. What stuck with me though was the sheer resillience of the human spirit. How this woman struggled to recover from her injuries, put her life back together and carry on. <br/> <br/>Inspirational. "

    — Charlotte, 2/22/2009
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Listened to audio book. I liked the clarity of her thought processes and marvel at her courage - not to survive, but to move forward while staying in the present. "

    — Janet, 2/20/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " what a wonderful story of courage and inspiration. Made me lucky that i was recovering from knee surgery and not the traumatic event that happened to the author. loved it "

    — Kristi, 2/10/2009

About Trisha Meili

Trisha Meili is known to the world as the Central Park Jogger, the woman brutally attacked and raped in Central Park in 1989. She did not reveal her identity as the victim until the publication of her bestselling memoir, I Am the Central Park Jogger, fourteen years after the assault. She is now a motivational speaker.